Xscape match
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The Xscape Match is a gimmick steel cage match exclusive to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). It is featured annually at TNA's Lockdown all-steel-cage pay-per-view in April.
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[edit] Format
The format of the Xscape Match is twofold. The first portion of the match is a multi-competitor elimination match inside the Six Sides of Steel cage. When a competitor is pinned or forced to submit, he is eliminated and the referees at ringside open the door and allow them to leave the match.
Once the match is down to two competitors, the format of the match changes to an "escape" match. Much like the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) "Blassie-style" cage match, both competitors focus not on pinning or submitting their opponent, but rather on debilitating them enough to allow them to escape from the cage. Unlike WWE matches, however, it is not possible to escape the cage by exiting through the door. The first competitor to get over the top of the cage and reach the floor is declared the winner.
[edit] History
There have been three Xscape Matches in TNA history:
[edit] TNA Lockdown 2005
Shocker, Chris Sabin, Sonjay Dutt, and Michael Shane competed in the first X Division Xscape Match at TNA Lockdown 2005. Shocker scored the first elimination of the match, pinning Dutt at 10 minutes, 45 seconds. Sabin scored the second pinfall on Shane at 14 minutes. Shocker and Sabin both made their way to the top of the cage, but it was Shocker who fell first (at 15 minutes, 42 seconds) to secure the victory.
[edit] TNA Lockdown 2006
Chris Sabin, Elix Skipper, Puma, Petey Williams, Chase Stevens, and Shark Boy competed in the second Xscape Match at TNA Lockdown 2006. Williams pinned Shark Boy for the first elimination, Skipper pinned Stevens for the second, Williams pinned Skipper for the third, and Sabin pinned Puma last elimination. Sabin and Williams both made their way to the top of the cage and dropped down at roughly the same time, but Williams landed on Team Canada coach Scott D'Amore while Sabin hit the floor, giving Sabin the victory at 12 minutes and 3 seconds.
[edit] TNA Impact!-3/29/07
An Xscape match was part of TNA Impact! airing 3/29/07 on Spike TV. Jerry Lynn defeated Alex Shelley, Sonjay Dutt, Austin Starr, Petey Williams and Shark Boy.
The order of elimination went:
Alex Shelley was eliminated by Shark Boy via pinfall.
Sonjay Dutt eliminated by Jerry Lynn and the Cradle Piledriver.
Shark Boy was eliminated by the Austin Starr and the Brainbuster.
Austin Starr was eliminated by Petey Williams and the Canadian Destroyer.
Lynn won the match by hitting the floor first then got leveled by Christopher Daniels and a baseball bat.
[edit] TNA Lockdown 2007
It was annouced that the Xscape Match will return for the 3rd straight year at TNA Lockdown 2007. This will be the fourth time overall that an Xscape match will be held.
[edit] Notes
- The Xscape Match was conceived by Dusty Rhodes during his tenure as head booker for TNA. It was retained after he parted ways with the company due to its popularity, ability to showcase multiple wrestlers, and unique format.
- Both Xscape Matches were utilized not only to put over the X Division, but one superstar in particular. Shocker, who won the first Xscape Match, had recently filmed McDonald's commercials that were airing all over the country at the time. Chris Sabin, who won the second, had just been named the captain of Team USA in the TNA World X Cup a week earlier.
- In 2006, Chase Stevens went for a shooting star press from the top of the cage, expecting to land on his competitors. Due to the formation of the wrestlers fighting on the floor of the ring, Stevens landed in such a way that caused him to fall face first on the mat. Though he was alright,he was reported as being unhappy with his fellow wrestlers not breaking his fall.[citation needed]
